Counties In Croatia Research Articles

Multi criteria analysis of the energy potential of agricultural residues: The case study of Međimurje County in Croatia

Aim of study: The utilization of agricultural residues may become one of the major sources for production of energy from biomass. The objective of this paper was to analyse the type and quantity of agricultural residues and to determine their energy potential.Area of study: The Međimurje County (north Croatia).Material and methods: The paper analyses three models of sustainable agricultural residues management applying the multi-criteria analysis. The assessment included potentially available quantities of residues in crops, fruit, viniculture and livestock production. For determining the most appropriate model of residues utilisation the multi-criteria analysis was applied.Main results: The results show that total quantities of agricultural biomass amount to 323,912 t with energy potential of 1,092 TJ annually. The largest sustainably available potential of agricultural biomass consists of biomass from arable crops production, with total quantity of 33,670 t followed by 281,233 t of manure from livestock production. The lowest share of potential biomass are pruning residues in fruit and grapevine production with total available residual quantity of 8,109 t. Also, it results from the multi-criteria analysis that a central large scale plant for biogas production is the most feasible facility for such production.Research highlights: The results of this paper provide ground for further development of the models for assessing the sustainability of using agricultural residues, and they can also serve as a basis for assessments of bioenergy projects in specific regions of the European Union.

Advancement of the assistance and support system for victims and witnesses of criminal offences – the role of civil society organizations in Croatia

Legal and institutional framework of the system of support to victims of criminal offences as well as the significance of the Directive 2012/29/EU and its implementation in the legislation of the Republic of Croatia are elaborated in this paper. In addition, certain difficulties related to the victim support system in practice are identified. A new model of service provision to victims and witnesses of criminal offences through founding and active work of The Network of Support and Co-operation for Victims and Witnesses of Criminal Offences and its results after two years of work are presented. The role and importance of civil society organizations in this field are emphasized. The conclusion declares establishment of more quality system of assistance and support for victims and witnesses of criminal offences. A part of the system is supported institutionally through the activities within the Ministry of Justice and specially established departments within the courts. A part of support is ensured noninstitutionally through the work of The Network of Support and Co-operation for Victims and Witnesses of Criminal Offences. It is exactly that involvement of motivated, educated and dedicated civil society organizations turned out as a key factor in establishing the efficient system. We will be able to state that certain milestones are achieved after: 1) further development of the system as a whole which refers to amending and implementing the existing legislative framework, 2) establishing a larger number of departments within courts, 3) spreading the Network? s services to all counties in Croatia, and 4) strengthening capacity of organizations that are service providers. The key is to ensure the financial means for the Network? s activities, strengthening networking of all stakeholders and introducing systemical control of service provision quality for victims and witnesses on all levels.

What if we combine Quit and win and individual approach to help smokers quit at the community level?

Abstract Issue Tobacco eventually kills up to a half of its users. Helping smokers who wish to quit is one of the six cost effective interventions listed by World Bank to decrease smoking harm. Tobacco Control Scale in 2016, shows diversity in approaches and coverage to help smokers quit across Europe. Comprehensive interventions are most effective. Combining contest, financial incentives, individual approach and triggers (start of Lent or other) could be implemented in other settings. Description of the problem Contest to motivate smokers for a quit attempt and individual help provided, has been conducted yearly since 2015 in a local community in Pozega-Slavonia County in Croatia. Data on all participants from 2015 through 2018 contests were collected by questionnaires and long term smoking status (6 months) evaluated by phone interviewing. Statistical analysis was conducted in SPSS. The objective was to determine how effective in helping smokers quit is a novel combination of evidence-based approaches “Quit and win” and individual support in local setting and to establish certain smokers characteristics as possible predictors of outcome. Results Data for 153 participants were collected. There were more (54%) male participants. Participants mean age was 35.8 years (range 18-67). Short term (30 day) abstinence rate was 73.9% (113/153) and out of those 34.1% (31/91) abstained long term (6 months). Long term follow-up was 80.5% (91/113). Overall, long term quit rate was 23.7% (31/131). There were no statistically significant differences in short and long term quit rates depending on age, sex, education, employment or socio-economic status, pack-year measure or personal success estimates. Lessons Comprehensive contest approach was found to be effective in helping smokers quit. Interest for implementation was shown by several counties and cities in Croatia. Effectiveness regardless of personal and social characteristics of contestants shows potential in different settings. Key messages Comprehensive interventions that include contest, financial incentives, individual approach and triggers in smoking cessation helped one in four involved smokers to quit. This approach has potential for implementation in diverse local communities as no difference in quit rates in different sex, age or socioeconomic groups were detected.

Changes of tourism in Croatia in the post-socialist period

21 years of transformation in the tourist function in the territory of Croatia has been summarized in the article. This area has come a long way from the region that was an integral part of Yugoslavia, through the area of warfare related to the civil war to one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world. The number of tourists has more than tripled, with an increase from 57% to 1830% in individual counties of Croatia during the analyzed period. At the same time, there was a disproportionately low increase in capacity of accommodation base across the country at the level of 76%. This increase took values from 20% to 350% in extreme districts.

Participation Rates of Freshwater Recreational Fisheries in the Counties of Croatia

Abstract The aim of this research was to define the participation rates of freshwater anglers in Croatia, their changes over the years and their differences across the counties of Croatia. In spite of a continuous population decline ever since Croatia joined the EU, the number of anglers has slightly increased to around 1%. The counties can be divided into three groups – counties on the Adriatic coast where marine fisheries are dominant, a very urbanized City of Zagreb and the remaining inland counties. In freshwater recreational fisheries in Croatia, the tradition and availability of fishing grounds dominate the participation rate of anglers. However, there are indications of the influence of GDP values so the counties with GDP over 6,500 euros per capita expressed positive relationship to the percentage of anglers (p<0.05). On the other hand, densely populated county of the City of Zagreb confirms that urbanization and much higher GDP result in a much lower percentage of recreational fishermen.

Određivanje morfoloških i kemijskih karakteristika te mikropropagacija tradicionalnih udomaćenih sorata jabuka u Hrvatskoj

Traditionally grown domesticated apple varieties are known for their adaptability to different climates and a wide range of soil types, and some for resistance to the main diseases. Their evaluation and preservation are very important, not only for restoration of traditional orchards, but also as a source of genetic material for breeding new varieties. Micropropagation of the most valuable varieties could be a way to propagate plants for restoration of traditional orchards, or as a prerequisite for ex situ long-term conservation through cryopreservation. Fruit samples were taken from trees 50 or more years old, of 13 traditionally grown domesticated apple varieties in Bjelovar Bilogora County in Croatia. Morphological traits of the fruits were evaluated during 3 years, and chemical characteristics (soluble solids, reducing sugars, acids and total phenol content) were evaluated during one vegetation year. Tissue culture was established from shoot apices approximately 1 mm in size isolated from buds of 1-year-old scion woods. Axillary branching was induced from two types of explants on MS medium with the addition of 2% glucose, 1% sucrose, 0.1 g L−1 myo-inositol, 0.8% agar, 0.2 mg L−1 gibberelic acid (GA3), 0.1 mg L−1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1.5 mg L−1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) in proliferation medium 1 (PM1) or 2 mg L−1 zeatin (ZEA) in proliferation medium 2 (PM2). The morphological characteristics of the traditionally grown domesticated apple varieties mentioned were not different from their standard values. Average fruit weight (AFW), average fruit height (AFH) and average fruit diameter (AFD) were less than standard values, which can be explained by the age of the fruit trees. Principal component analysis of these traditionally grown domesticated apple varieties showed that fruit traits very important in today’s breeding for new cultivars, like fruit weight, shape, skin color and flesh taste, stand out in explaining the variability. Despite the age of the fruit trees, the fruits still have surprisingly positive chemical characteristics, especially Canadian Reinette for which the highest concentration of total phenols was found. Of the five traditionally grown domesticated apple varieties used, tissue culture was successfully established for Jonathan and Canadian Reinette varieties. Higher multiplication efficiency was obtained for the Jonathan variety. Medium supplemented with 1.5 mg L−1 BAP produced a significantly higher number of shoots/explant in comparison with those supplemented with ZEA. Morphological features of shoots produced on medium supplemented with ZEA, however, were better. Both explant types, shoots placed in the medium vertically or two-nodal stem segments placed in the medium horizontally, gave similar results for axillary branching.

Istraživanje prikladnosti konzumacije sirovog mlijeka iz mljekomata u Hrvatskoj

The consumption of raw milk from vending machine in Croatia has increased in recent years. However, its health safety is insufficiently investigated and controlled. The objective of this study was to investigate the suitability of raw milk consumption, from 28 vending machines from 3 counties in Croatia during one-year research period, based on the physicochemical and hygiene quality. Also, the simulation of psychrothrophic bacteria growth has been conducted in order to determine its optimal storage time because of their unfavorable effect on the milk quality. The physicochemical composition of milk samples (n=320) was determined by the infrared spectrometry (chemical composition) and cryoscopic method (freezing point), while hygiene quality was estimated with a total bacterial count (TBC) and a somatic cell count (SCC). Microbiological analyses included determining the presence of Enterococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and the pathogenic species. Satisfactory quality of raw milk was established in 95% (chemical quality) and 70% unadulterated samples (without added water). The prescribed hygiene quality was met by 36.6% (TBC) and 71.9% (SCC) samples. Of total 320 samples, the presence of bacteria in genus Enterococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. was confirmed in 93.4% and 96.9% samples, respectively, and bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Lysteria monocytogenes was confirmed in 32.2%, 27.5% and 3.8% samples. The finding of Salmonella spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica was negative. At the end of the study improvement of the microbiological quality of raw milk from vending machines was established. The results indicate the need for systematic control and obligate thermal treatment of raw milk before consumption.

A Proposal of Measures Towards a Qualitative Enhancement of Bus Transport Services in the Primorsko-goranska County

The survey, which consisted of counting, polling and recording, has provided data on the existing volume of passenger flows in public bus stations/terminals within the Primorsko-goranska (Littoral-Mountainous) County (hereinafter: the PG County), the density rate of passengers on bus lines that operate on County connections and on bus lines connecting the PG County with other counties in Croatia. In addition to the quantitative parameters, the qualitative data were analyzed that had been obtained by polling passengers at the Rijeka bus terminal, whereupon detailed opinions of direct users of the service were elaborated with the aim of obtaining a picture of the current situation of the public bus transport in the PG County. The data collected were used in evaluating the quality of the passenger transport service provided and in determining measures to be taken in order to bring both the actual quality of transport and the satisfaction of passengers to a higher level.

TELECOM BIG DATA FOR URBAN TRANSPORT ANALYSIS – A CASE STUDY OF SPLIT-DALMATIA COUNTY IN CROATIA

Abstract. Today, big data has become widely available and the new technologies are being developed for big data storage architecture and big data analytics. An ongoing challenge is how to incorporate big data into GIS applications supporting the various domains. International Transport Forum explains how the arrival of big data and real-time data, together with new data processing algorithms lead to new insights and operational improvements of transport. Based on the telecom customer data, the Study of Tourist Movement and Traffic in Split-Dalmatia County in Croatia is carried out as a part of the “IPA Adriatic CBC//N.0086/INTERMODAL” project. This paper briefly explains the big data used in the study and the results of the study. Furthermore, this paper investigates the main considerations when using telecom customer big data: data privacy and data quality. The paper concludes with GIS visualisation and proposes the further use of big data used in the study.

Project Activities and Encouraging Critical Thinking: Exploring Teachers’ Attitudes

The contemporary education process frequently emphasises the importance of teaching and learning by focusing teaching activities towards research and collaborative work, the encouragement of critical thinking, the creative and productive application of knowledge, an active approach to the teaching content, and solving specific problems in project activities. A survey was conducted on a sample of 220 elementary school teachers from three counties in Croatia (Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Lika-Senj, and Istria) regarding the frequency of implementing project activities that encourage critical thinking in pupils. The objectives of the research were to determine the regularity of implementing project activities at the class level and at the level of the entire school, and to examine possible differences between teachers who estimated regular implementation of project activities in their schools and those who estimated the levels of irregular implementation of project activities, in the application of contemporary work strategies, as well as in the attitudes on the contemporary paradigm of childhood and the education process. The research results showed that the majority of teachers estimated that project activities were carried out regularly at their school (66.5% on a class level and65% on a school level). Teachers who reported the regular implementation of project activities at the class level and at the school level more frequently applied contemporary work strategies and techniques of critical thinking than their colleagues did. The research results also indicated that those teachers more frequently use established approaches to the educational process (teacher should explain, exhibit facts, and point out important conclusions) than their colleagues do. There were no statistically significant differences in contemporary attitudes between the two groups of teachers. Since the objective behind the implementation of project activities was to create the knowledge that, in the creative act, boundaries of the known or tried are transcended in the direction of new and expanded knowledge, importance should be given to the role of teachers in promoting the development of critical thinking and guiding pupils to explore and discover new knowledge.

Epidemiological and clinical features of leptospirosis in a highly endemic area over three time periods.

To present the features of human leptospirosis over three time periods (1970-1975; 2000-2005; 2010-2015), to compare the collected data and to determine whether the incidence, seasonal and spatial distribution, prevalence of presumptive infective serogroups and clinical features have changed over the last 50 years. Epidemiological and clinical data obtained from patients hospitalised and treated in a well-known endemic focus of leptospirosis, Koprivnica-Križevci County in Croatia, were analysed. We observed a steady decline in the overall incidence of leptospirosis and a change in the patient age distribution, with the age ratio changing in favour of middle-aged and older patients. Although leptospirosis was most frequently diagnosed in August in all time periods, the number of cases increased in autumn. The most prevalent serogroup during the first and the second time period was Icterohaemorrhagiae, while in the third time period, the serogroup Australis prevailed. We also noted an increase in the number of severe clinical manifestations. This retrospective research demonstrates a continuous decline in the incidence of human leptospirosis in Croatia. The pattern of disease has changed from predominantly mild clinical forms observed in children to more severe clinical forms observed in middle-aged to older patients, especially those working in agriculture. Additional epidemiological changes included an increase in the number of cases during the autumn months and changes in prevailing serogroups. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between the severity of the clinical picture, patient age and presumed sources of infection.

Ground water as the source of an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis

In September 2014, an outbreak of gastroenteritis was reported to the Public Health Institute of Šibenik and Knin County in Croatia. The outbreak occurred in the County center of Šibenik, a town with 50,000 inhabitants, and it lasted for 12 days. An epidemiological investigation suggested a nearby water spring as the source of the outbreak. Due to the temporary closure of the public water supply system, the inhabitants started to use untreated water from a nearby spring. Microbiological analysis revealed that the outbreak was caused by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis that was isolated from stool samples of the patients and ground water. The isolates were further analysed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis using XbaI, which revealed an identical macrorestriction profile. Although 68 cases were reported, it was estimated that the actual number of affected persons was more than several hundred. In order to prevent further spread of disease, public advice was released immediately after the first epidemiological indication and a warning sign was placed at the incriminated water source, after microbiological confirmation. It is necessary to regularly monitor microbiological quality of ground water especially in urban areas and provide adequate education and awareness to the inhabitants regarding the risk of using untreated ground water.

Ground water as the source of an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis

In September 2014, an outbreak of gastroenteritis was reported to the Public Health Institute of Šibenik and Knin County in Croatia. The outbreak occurred in the County center of Šibenik, a town with 50,000 inhabitants, and it lasted for 12days. An epidemiological investigation suggested a nearby water spring as the source of the outbreak. Due to the temporary closure of the public water supply system, the inhabitants started to use untreated water from a nearby spring. Microbiological analysis revealed that the outbreak was caused by Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis that was isolated from stool samples of the patients and ground water. The isolates were further analysed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis using XbaI, which revealed an identical macrorestriction profile. Although 68 cases were reported, it was estimated that the actual number of affected persons was more than several hundred. In order to prevent further spread of disease, public advice was released immediately after the first epidemiological indication and a warning sign was placed at the incriminated water source, after microbiological confirmation. It is necessary to regularly monitor microbiological quality of ground water especially in urban areas and provide adequate education and awareness to the inhabitants regarding the risk of using untreated ground water.

Realisation barriers in energy efficiency projects in Croatian public buildings: a critic overview and proposals

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses in detail specific barriers to establishing energy efficiency policies in Croatian public buildings that affect the realisation of energy efficiency projects. Barriers were discovered after years of collaboration with public institutions in Croatia, especially at a local level. Although the information presented in this paper relates specifically to the geographical areas of Splitsko- Dalmatinska and Dubrovacko-Neretvanska counties in Croatia, the research can be generalised to the country as a whole. The paper also analyses the important role of the United Nations Development Programme in encouraging proactive energy efficiency policies in public buildings in Croatia. Finally, a new organisational framework is proposed to eliminate existing barriers and to establish a system which will lead to the effective realisation of energy efficiency projects in buildings. The research presented in this paper should also be useful to countries facing similar barriers to energy investments.

Teachers’ Attitudes towards Behaviour Patterns in Social Conflicts in Primorsko-Goranska County in Croatia

The aim of the empirical research is to determine primary school teachers’ attitudes towards behaviour patterns in social conflict. A primary school teacher is the role model for his/her pupils, so in the context of the theory of hidden curriculum, the purpose of the study is determining a better understanding of teacher’s needs for further conflict resolution training. AScale of Attitudes toward social conflicts was applied to a stratified sample of 155 teachers in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia, measuring three patterns of behaviour: avoidance/adaptation, cooperation, and winning. According to the results, the teachers most frequently have positive attitudes toward a pattern of cooperation, and most seldom towarda pattern of winning. Winning is negatively correlated with cooperation, and positively correlated with avoidance/adaptation. The authors recommended systematic social skills training necessary for managing conflict for a specific group of teachers. The authors believe these findings could raise interest and awareness for further studies in the field of conflict studiesin education.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF E-MARKETING IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY: THE CASE OF ISTRIA COUNTY

Information and communication technology (ICT) has penetrated many spheres of life and work. Recognizing the potential of this new technology, marketers have readily accepted ICT and turned the marketing concept into e-marketing. The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of implementation of e-marketing practice in the hotel industry. The paper is based on empirical research conducted in Istria County, the most developed tourist county in Croatia. The research was conducted using a survey method. The research results show that hotel companies in Istria County have achieved a medium or even high level of implementation of e-marketing practice. The companies with a higher level of e-marketing practice also achieve better business performance. However, the survey also revealed the constraints to the widespread application of e-marketing in the hotel industry.

Net fiscal positions of counties in Croatia from 2011 to 2013

The main aim of this study was to determine the net fiscal positions of counties, i.e. the net fiscal positions of all cities and municipalities in the territory of each county. The analysis was carried out for the period from 2011 to 2013. The distribution of general government revenue and expenditure of around HRK 129bn was carried out according to established distribution keys and the net fiscal positions of counties were determined. The results revealed that, out of 21 counties (20 counties and the City of Zagreb), only four recorded positive net fiscal positions. The best average annual net fiscal position was found in the City of Zagreb (HRK 13.7bn), followed by the positions of Istarska County (HRK 795m), Primorsko-goranska County (HRK 731m) and Zagrebacka County (HRK 134m). Other counties recorded negative net fiscal positions, with the weakest (negative) ones identified in Vukovarsko-srijemska County (HRK 1.69bn of annual deficit) and Osjeckobaranjska County (HRK 1.67bn).

Climatic, Edaphic Factors and Cropping History Help Predict Click Beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae) (Agriotes spp.) Abundance.

It is assumed that the abundance of Agriotes wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) is affected by agro-ecological factors such as climatic and edaphic factors and the crop/previous crop grown at the sites investigated. The aim of this study, conducted in three different geographic counties in Croatia from 2007 to 2009, was to determine the factors that influence the abundance of adult click beetle of the species Agriotes brevis Cand., Agriotes lineatus (L.), Agriotes obscurus (L.), Agriotes sputator (L.), and Agriotes ustulatus Schall. The mean annual air temperature, total rainfall, percentage of coarse and fine sand, coarse and fine silt and clay, the soil pH, and humus were investigated as potential factors that may influence abundance. Adult click beetle emergence was monitored using sex pheromone traps (YATLORf and VARb3). Exploratory data analysis was preformed via regression tree models and regional differences in Agriotes species’ abundance were predicted based on the agro-ecological factors measured. It was found that the best overall predictor of A. brevis abundance was the previous crop grown. Conversely, the best predictor of A. lineatus abundance was the current crop being grown and the percentage of humus. The best predictor of A. obscurus abundance was soil pH in KCl. The best predictor of A. sputator abundance was rainfall. Finally, the best predictors of A. ustulatus abundance were soil pH in KCl and humus. These results may be useful in regional pest control programs or for predicting future outbreaks of these species.

Comparison of Campylobacter jejuni pulsotypes isolated from humans and poultry in Split and Dalmatia County, Croatia

Consumption of poultry is considered to be an important source of human infection with Campylobacter. In the period from 2008 to 2010, 50 isolates of Campylobacter jejuni from human faeces were analysed and compared with 61 isolates from poultry by pulsed field gel electrophoresis using SmaI and KpnI. Based on the analysis of SmaI macrorestriction profiles, 86 isolates (77.5 %) were assigned to 15 S clusters: 31 (62 %) from humans and 55 from poultry (90.2 %). Altogether 21 isolates (19 %) exhibited macrorestriction profiles common to both humans and poultry after restriction with SmaI and KpnI. A total of five identical pulsotypes were isolated from both poultry and patients and one of them appeared in eight different locations in the time interval of one year. These results indicate that poultry could be an important source of Campylobacter infection in Split and Dalmatia County which is the biggest County in Croatia and the most important tourist destination.

Sudden infant death syndrome and perinatal risk factors

Abstract